Father Frank Maher died on the 19th March, 1998, the Feast of St Joseph, as he had lived, at peace and without fear or fuss. His funeral liturgy was a most moving experience and celebration of his life. It was also a reflection of the amazing number of people Frank touched during his lifetime. He now rests with his Vincentian confreres in the surroundings where he lived most of his life.

Frank came as a boy to Castleknock in 1940 and, apart from eight years preparation for the priesthood and three years in St Patrick’s College, Armagh, he was to fulfil his entire apostolate in Castleknock. His school days there were happy times both in class and on the playing field. The first time I saw Frank was a small diminutive figure on a wet, miserable day at Lansdowne Road, playing in the final of the Senior Rugby Cup in 1947. It was to be a “Roy of the Rovers” sort of day for him for he got both the scores that brought the senior cup back to Castleknock. Reading the account of the match in the Castleknock Chronicle one is surprised at the little mention he receives until, at the end of the article the name of the author is recorded. It was Frank himself! But all who knew him in later life as an outstanding rugby trainer, whose influence for good on the boys he coached was accepted by all, would not be surprised at such self-effacement.

Leaving school, Frank entered the Vincentian seminary in Blackrock and was ordained in 1955. He was appointed to St Patrick’s College, Armagh and it was with a sad heart he received his appointment back to Castleknock in 1958. He really enjoyed those years in the North of Ireland, sharing life with members of a delightful community, training the senior Gaelic team, (Frank was nothing if not catholic in his taste for sport), teaching class and a member of the local orchestra, much influenced by the late Father Hederman, and with unbounded admiration for the President, Father Sheridan. Frank had many heroes during his life!

Soon, however he was once again completely involved in his new apostolate here in Castleknock. Frank was a dedicated teacher who won the respect of his pupils. He was keenly interested in history and much of his enthusiasm was passed on to the pupils. He prepared his work thoroughly and achieved excellent results for his students in their examinations, including a first place in history in Ireland.

As the years passed, it was in teaching religion that his personality was at its strongest. Not always the easiest subject to teach, with Frank it was integrated into his whole priestly life. His prowess as a player and trainer, his sermons with their constant theme, ‘Jesus is your closest friend’ (as with St Vincent he preached the one sermon in a thousand ways), his preparation, his use of visual aids and anecdotes, and his sincerity – all combined and were evident to the boys. They trusted him implicitly and sought him as confessor, counsellor and friend. Even when during the last years of his life his health was in decline he still retained his religion classes and organised the retreats of all the class forms in the school. Sometimes he came from class despondent and frustrated but soon his mood would revive and ‘so-and so’ was not too bad really! For many years Frank was the musical director of the liturgy in the college. Himself a fine musician he demanded a high standard from the boys – and he usually got it.

What was evident from the large attendance who came from all walks of life to his funeral, was Frank’s enormous apostolate beyond the walls of the college. Fr Donal Sullivan, who is now a P.P. in Florida, wrote about Frank for the Castleknock Chronicle:

I feel myself in a rather uniquely privileged position in the different ways that I have known the late Frank Maher. We were close friends, (this is not a claim to be unique, as Frank had very many friends); we were colleagues on the staff at Knock for 24 years, (again others can claim a similar relationship); but when to those two, I add the knowledge I had of Frank’s ‘other life’, as he liked to call it, I am a jump ahead of most others. Frank’s ‘other life’ was the time he spent in priestly ministry in Florida during the summer months every year.

Frank found that working in Florida gave him a wonderful opportunity to use his extraordinary Christ-like compassion and concern (my description, not Frank’s) for people in a parish setting. The people of Ponte Vedra looked forward to Frank’s arrival each summer, not just because he was such a genial and warm person, or because he was an enjoyable golf partner, but more especially because of the impact he made on their lives through his conversations, preaching and spiritual guidance.

After the news of Frank’s death percolated to Florida, Fr Danaher arranged a Memorial Mass at which I had the honour to preach. Fr Seamus O’Flynn also concelebrated the Mass. Fr Frank’s sister, Mary, had rung me the previous evening and told me about the Funeral Mass in Castleknock. My ability to share this with the parishioners present was something they welcomed and needed. It gave them, and me, an opportunity to celebrate the life of Frank Maher and to thank God for the effect he had on our lives.

At the lunch afterwards in the parish hall, different parishioners told me stories of the impact that Frank had in their lives. I could only marvel at the wonderful way that this man of God, whom I have been blessed to call my friend, could be used by the Lord. One young woman, whose family was very close to Frank, told me of how she and her boyfriend talked to Frank about getting married. He was quite definite that they should not do so; she followed his advice and later married someone else. She is quite certain that her first choice would have been disastrous. Having spent many an hour late at night in Castleknock, with Frank, as he agonised over changing his scrum half or tight head prop before a Cup match, it was remarkable to know how decisive he could be in matters of the spirit!

Frank’s involvement in the Charismatic Renewal movement from its beginnings in Ireland was quite total and had a profound influence on his spirituality. He was certainly in constant demand by Prayer Groups and at Charismatic Congresses, and he was sought out as a spiritual director by many religious and lay people. His widespread influence was due to the fact that he lived what he preached. Jesus was his intimate friend – he based everything on that.

His large library reflected his spirituality, books on Christology, Mariology, prayer, scripture, charismatic writings, centres of pilgrimage, liturgical music and lives of the saints, St Theresa of Liseux especially. 98% of his library was devoted to such material, the other 2% were books on rugby, rugby coaching, golf, the spy novels of Helen Maclnnes and videos of films of John Wayne! One can understand why he so much admired John Wayne. The good guy always overcame the bad!

In his community life Frank was much loved. Suffice it to say that he was an excellent companion, a man of prayer and always available to his confreres. It is doubtful if he was ever uncharitable, – as already stated, there were only heroes. During the last years of his life he suffered much bad health but his faith and closeness to Jesus never faltered. His death was certainly the going home of a beloved son.

As I write I look out on the pathway up the hill that leads to the little Castle graveyard. Since Frank’s death many people, on their own or in small groups, have made their way up to his grave to pray for him and, perhaps, to pray to him. May he rest in peace

John Doyle, C.M.

FRANCIS MAHER C.M.

Born: 27 June, 1929 in Dublin

Entered CM: 7 September, 1947.

Final Vows: 8 September, 1949

Ordained Priest: 4 June, 1955 in Clonliffe College by John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin.

APPOINTMENTS:

1955-’58: St Patrick’s, Armagh

1958-’98: St Vincent’s, Castleknock

Died: 19 March 1998, Castleknock

Buried: Castleknock.

This poem was left on Frank Maher’s coffin in the College Chapel in Castleknock.

To Father Maher

You never had any children

But you were a father in every way

You were a dear friend to so many

You devoted your life to us

Everyone around you felt happy and loved

You were a genuine person who

Had an abyss of love for everyone

For this reason we respected you so much

We gave you the guard of honour

You gave us your life

We will never forget you

As your memory will live with us

Father may you be rewarded in heaven

Your home.

A junior student

A letter from Clongowes received shortly after Fr Maher's death.